Diwali is known as the festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the human ability to overcome.  The five-day holiday began Saturday, October 22 and ends on Wednesday, October 26.

According to kids.nationalgeographic.com, the five day celebration includes the following:

DAY ONE: People clean their homes and shop for gold or kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune.

DAY TWO: People decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand.

DAY THREE: On the main day of the festival, families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi, followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities.

DAY FOUR: This is the first day of the new year, when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.

DAY FIVE: Brothers visit their married sisters, who welcome them with love and a lavish meal.

To our brothers and sisters that celebrate Diwali…we wish you a joyous and peaceful holiday!

Submitted by: Student Development and Diversity

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